Former Celtic midfielder Kris Commons reckons NONE of Steven Gerrard's title-winning Rangers stars are good enough for Aston Villa.
And though he believes the Ibrox club might actually want their now former manager to return for a few stars he left behind in the January transfer market, the pundit claims not a single member of the squad would help his new side avoid relegation.
Commons insists Rangers would be very keen for a few offers to arrive from Birmingham given the recent losses posted in their annual accounts.
But he's doubtful any will arrive as the main thing Villa must fix to beat the drop is their defence.
He insists James Tavernier, Connor Goldson and Borna Barisic wouldn't improve the team while it's too early for young Nathan Patterson to make the leap.
Writing in his Daily Mail column, Commons said: "Given that they posted a £23.5million operating loss last week, I'd imagine the Rangers board wouldn't exactly discourage Steven Gerrard if he chose to table some offers for his now former players come January.
"I just happen to believe those discussions won't be taking place. Not because there aren't talented players at Ibrox. There plainly are. But none of them are guaranteed to make Villa any better.
"Gerrard's new side have the third-worst defensive record in the Premier League. If you're going to stay in the league, you need to give yourself a better foundation.
"Rangers' stand-outs defensively are James Tavernier, Connor Goldson and Borna Barisic. But are they going to improve Villa? I'd be extremely doubtful of that.
"Nathan Patterson could go for big money at some point but I don't think it will be to Villa, purely because they have Matty Cash, who I think is a terrific right-back.
"Listen, Patterson is a real talent but he's more one for the future. Right now, Villa need tried-and-trusted players to get them out of this hole."
Midfielder Glen Kamara, who has freshly inked a contract until 2025, has been outstanding but, again, Common doubts he's who Villa need at this moment in time.
And he also reckons Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos won't pass muster either with inconsistency and a "high-maintenance" attitude given for those knock backs, respectively.
Commons added: "The one stand-out in the past 12 months in midfield has been Glen Kamara. But he's not the kind of player who's going to score you bags of goals to keep you in the division.
"Ryan Kent is still gaining experience and learning his trade. He's not a stick-on every week and has had a couple of injuries. He's not going to get you 20 goals a season on a regular basis.
"I'd see him as a bit of a gamble in that regard. He's not a proven player. He's still more of a prospect.
"Villa need goals. Alfredo Morelos might go and get you the 15 you need and tear it apart down there.
"But what you always detect with Villa is the togetherness and team spirit. Would Morelos be guaranteed to help the atmosphere in the dressing room? Gerrard knows he's high-maintenance. It would be a big gamble. And he's also not playing particularly well at the moment.
"I just don't think there's an absolute stand-out in the Rangers squad who would make Villa better."
